Those who have bought any items in the range are urged not to eat the sandwich fillers but return them to get a refund.

A Sainsbury’s statement read: “Routine testing has detected Listeria in a limited number of the above products.

“As a precautionary measure, we are asking all customers who have bought any of the above products not to consume or use them, but to return them to their nearest Sainsbury’s store, where they will receive a full refund.

“If you have eaten this product and need further advice, please contact your health care professional.

“No other products or date codes are affected by this issue, and we apologise for the inconvenience this has caused.”

Anyone having bought any of the products listed is advised not to eat it; instead, returning it to the store from where it was bought for a full refund.

The Food Standards Agency said of listeria: “Symptoms caused by this organism can be similar to flu and include high temperature, muscle ache or pain, chills, feeling or being sick and diarrhoea. However, in rare cases, the infection can be more severe, causing serious complications, such as meningitis.

They added: “Some people are more vulnerable to Listeria infections, including those over 65 years of age, pregnant women and their unborn babies, babiels less than one month old and people with weakened immune systems.”